To open this latch, the handle works as a lever to push inward when you push up on the handle. If your handle if broken, it has probably ceased to work as a lever (the pivot pins have likely broken). You want to push in on the handle to open the latch, ideally toward the bottom of the handle opening. Once you get the latch open, you'll likely want to order a replacement (here is one source : http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Door-Latch/W10130694/1266678 ). Remember to turn off the power to the dishwasher, and you'll need a star head driver to remove the screws from the inside of the door to access and replace the latch.

If you are noticing that the dishes are not clean, then there are a few things to check for. Check the soap powder if it's kept in a dry environment. Also try replacing the powder with something like a gel or liquid. Next thing to check for is the water pressure and fill valve. Check if the water is filling in and the spray arms are throwing the water with enough pressure. Try and listen to the sound if you hear a proper spraying action sound.

If it seems as a low water pressure then check the fill valve. Now, check if dishwasher is draining the water or not. While the dishwasher is working check whether the dishwasher is draining and there is not much left out water after the cycle is complete. Try cleaning the spray arm with a soft brush. The water temperature plays a major role in cleaning of dishes. The temp should be between 125 and 150 F for dishwasher to clean the dishes. Hope this helps...

I
have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained
about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain
to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed
them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also
found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess
things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out
the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that
will help you with the online buying...

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly. Power for the water valve comes from terminal 4 of the timer to the float switch through the water valve and then to the door switch before reaching L2 of the power source.

Check for power on Terminal 4 (marked AQ) of the timer. (No power.... most likely a door switch problem) The rest of the circuit you can read continity. You should read continuity from AQ of the timer to one terminal of the power source with the door closed and latched.

Make sure your water valve is turned on to your dishwasher. Many times we clean under the sink and forget to turn it back on.

Do you see a dishwasher detergent on the inner door and build up around the left or right side. This soap build up can cause the float switch to stick (looks like a little bobber) clean up the build up if it is present.

Your water valve might have failed. replace the water valve if the first 2x steps are not working.

You may have debris in the sprayer arm jets. It is usually simple to remove the sprayer arms. Then rinse them well using the sink sprayer for forceful water power. I have sometimes had to use a tweezer to remove bits of plastic, paper, bone, or food particles. Once you've remove the debris, rinse well forcing water through to dislodge any other debris. Once you've reattached the sprayer arms, you should have cleaner dishes. Also, some brands of dishwashers have a pipe that runs up the inside back wall and connects to a pipe that runs under the top shelf. Water flowing through this pipe under the top shelf propels the sprayer arms. If the connection at the back is not flush with the "propel" pipe there won't be enough water pressure to turn the sprayer arm. Check to see if your dishwasher has this type of set up.I hope this works. If it does, please let Fixya know by rating my solution.Good luck!

Empty out all the dishes out of your dishwasher. Remove the bottom rack and remove any food or gunk that may be stuck there.

Stir ¼ cup liquid dish soap and ¼ cup bleach into a quart of water. Use the solution and a small brush, or even an old toothbrush, to scrub between the grooves of the rubber seal and any other crevices.

Swing open the door of your dishwasher to reach the bottom of the door, on the inside. Brush away any gunk that may have accumulated there, particularly around the hinges.

Use a sponge and the soapy solution to wash the interior of the dishwasher. Be sure to clean the gasket.

Sanitize and Deodorize Your Dishwater

Get rid of any odor that may be coming from the plumbing pipes your dishwasher shares with the sink. Pour a half a cup of baking soda down each sink drain. Pour cups of vinegar down each drain until all the baking soda is washed away. After 5 minutes, run very, very hot water down each of the drains.

Clean out your garbage disposal. Slice a lemon and put the slices down your disposal drain. Run your disposal with the cold water running. You can use just the lemon or an orange rind if you don't have a whole lemon.

Pour two cups of vinegar into the dishwasher and let it sit for an hour and then let the dishwasher run through a cycle with the hottest water possible. Repeat the process if that does not help. You can use baking soda instead of vinegar - just sprinkle it in the bottom of the dishwasher.

Between washes, pour ¼ cup lemon juice into the dishwasher cup, and run a short but complete wash cycle. Is will not only deodorize the dishwasher, but will also help get rid of any metal build-up

The problem is hard water. www.dishwasherfilter.com has a product to solve this problem once and for all. It filters the water going into your dishwasher and removes the hard minerals that leave those spots. It is very affordable and even has a money back guarantee. You will love the way your dishes look with this product.

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

Chance are there. If repair man says motor is burnt, he can always show you the motor. You can easily smell the burnt smell.

Let him replace the motor and collect the old motor. that is the only way you can make sure. Hope the repairman has checked all the the other points. Before replacing the motor, find out the reasons for motor getting burnt! No water seepage into the coil, no high voltage in your area etc.